Western Australian young gun Will Malajczuk has set a new record for the fastest hundred in Under 19 World Cup history to lead Australia to an eight-wicket win over Japan.
Australia were chasing a target of 202, and the left-hander hit 12 fours and five sixes to score a scintillating hundred from just 51 balls, which helped Australia secure the win in Namibia.
Malajczuk's knock is also the second-fastest hundred in Under-19s ODI history, behind Pakistan's Sameer Minhas, who scored his hundred in only 42 balls a fortnight ago against Zimbabwe.
Australia's opening partnership raced to 94 inside the first 10 overs, with 70 coming from Malajczuk's bat.
"I'm happy to get the team off to a good start and get another win," Malajczuk said, according to cricket.com.au.
"Just playing my shots and being free with the mindset: if the ball's there, go for it."
"They give me the freedom to bat the way I want to."
Reaching the half-century in just 23 balls, Malajczuk played at a relentless pace throughout his innings, also securing the record for the fastest 50 in the tournament's history.
The top-order batter was also named in Western Australia's 14-man squad for a domestic one-day in September last year.
Malajczuk had the opportunity to train with Australia's Test squad ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth, just months after deciding between Australian Rules and Cricket.
